Improvement in abdominal corsets



ELIZABETH TURNER.

ABDOMINAL-CORSET.

11 ,171,743. Patented J'an. 4,1876.

MPEKERS, PHOTOLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH TURNER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ABDOMINAL CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 17] ,748, datedJanuary 4, 1876; application filed December 8, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIZABETH TURNER, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Corsets; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings mak ing part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the lower front portion of a corsetprovided with my Improvements. Fig. 2 is a front view of the duplexabdominal belt. Fig. 3 is a detached elevation, showing a modificationof the adustable gore G, provided with lapels a, for the lacer-eyelets.Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the steel stays s on the button side,and.

the extension-whalebones b at the lower end, and the long auxiliary boned. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the same, looking in the direction-of thearrow at.

The greatest difficulty has heretofore been experlenced in providingeither abdominal supporters or abdominal'corsets which should be 1n anydegree comfortable to the wearer, or at all efficient in accomplishingthe result for which they have been employed. To obviate thesedifficulties is the prime obect of my invention. It consists in theemployment of a duplex belt, so applied to the corsets as to afford aperfect and comfortable support to the abdomen from the hips; also, inthe employment of an adjustable gore, and in a peculiar plan or methodof connecting the extension-whalebones to the steel stays.

My improved corset is designed more especially for ladies of stout,corpulent form, although it is equally applicable to others.

The broad portion B of the duplex belt is provided with a centralopening (shown at c, Fig. 2) at its junction with the corset-body O,' tothe left half of which it is firmly secured by stitching or otherwise,through the points z. The central loop or opening at 0 permits thepassage of the other portion, B, of the belt, which is fixed to theopposite or right-hand half of the corset-body. The two portions B and Bof the belt are out about as shown, so as to conform nearly or quite tothe shape of the lower edge of the front portion of the corsetbody. Thebelts are composed of a central lamina of strong, heavy canvas, with asuitable lining and a face of firm drilling. Their narrow ends areprovided with several sets of eyelets, as shown at p, to receive thetongues of the buckles. The latter are fixed to the corset-body C overor near the hips, as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be seen that while the steel stays and the whalebones act tosecure the general shape and outline of the corsets this duplex beltserves as the abdominal supporter, and acts to prevent the stays fromlosing the form originally given to the corsets.

An additional adjustability may be given to the abdominal portion of thecorsets by the introduction of an adjustable gore, G, on each side. Thisgore may be made and inserted in the usual way, and of any desired sizeor shape. I then apply a row of eyelets on each side of the gore,through the body of the corset (J, and introduce a lacer. By this meansthe swell or fullness of the abdominal case may be measurably increasedor diminished without'a general change of the form or size of thecorsets.

Instead of inserting the eyelets through the body of the corsets, Iwould preferably employ a narrow lapel, a, Fig. 3, fixed to the body ofthe corset on each side of the gore, to hold the eyelets. One advantageof this construction is, that the lacers are wholly upon the outside ofthe corset.

Owing to the fact that the steel corset-stays as furnished in the market'are provided with a set curvature, that cannot be. permanently changed,they cannot be fitted to different forms, as required in abdominalcorsets. This difficulty I .obviate by splicing extensionwhalebones b tothe lower end of the steel stays s. I provide a relay or support,consisting of a long bone, d, lying by the side of the steel, andextending down to the lower end of the short bones b. The bone d helpsto hold the short bones in their proper relative position with the steelstays. Of course, any degree of curvature required may be given to thebones, and they will mainly retain it,

although possessing the necessary flexibility.

Any ordinary compress may be attached in the usual manner, when requiredfor the sup port of a rupture.

a What Iolaim as my im'ention islav on auxiliaryst ay d, substantiallyas and 1 1. luau abdominal corsetghthe duplex belt, for the purposes setforth.

constructed and arranged to be adjusted sub stantially in the mannershown, and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the steel stays s and the abdominal extensionboues b, the long re- ELIZABETH TURNER. A

